Joe Nelson
BBC Sports

Image source, Getty Images

When Sandro Tonali arrived at Newcastle United last summer, it was thought he would strengthen the midfield at the expense of homegrown talent Sean Longstaff.

He made quite an impression on the opening day in the 5-1 win over Aston Villa, but was ultimately suspended for most of the season. Then, in early 2024-2025, it seemed like Eddie Howe was struggling to find the right balance, while the trio of Joelinton, Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes weren’t quite clicking.

A wide selection of midfielders is not a luxury Newcastle had last season, when Eddie Howe’s side were ravaged by injuries. Now he has to make tough decisions, which has meant missing Longstaff at times.

Accommodating Joelinton on the wing has seen the North Shields native reinstated in Newcastle’s starting XI in recent weeks, alongside Guimaraes and Joe Willock.

This has resulted in a more fluid Magpies lineup and Longstaff is playing a crucial role in Newcastle’s improved form.

This season, Newcastle played eleven games in the Premier League, winning five of them. Longstaff has started six games, including all five wins.

Howe’s team have kept three clean sheets this season with Longstaff starting two of these matches. The Magpies have scored more than once in three league games so far this season, with Longstaff also starting all three.

This positive trend goes back even further, with the 27-year-old starting 30 of Newcastle’s 38 Premier League games last season, winning 17 of them.

After the opening day win over Villa, Longstaff was left on the bench due to successive defeats to City, Liverpool and Brighton.

Brought back into the starting XI after a 1-0 win at home to Brentford, the midfielder remained in the line-up as Newcastle went seven games unbeaten, scoring 20 goals, including the memorable 8-0 win over Sheff Utd. recommended.

Newcastle kept 10 clean sheets in the league last season and Longstaff started nine of those games. They scored more than one goal in 22 games – Longstaff started 20.

In the 2022-2023 season, as Howe’s side qualified for the Champions League, the homegrown number 36 again played a crucial role. Longstaff lost just twice from 28 starts during this campaign. Newcastle kept fourteen clean sheets, twelve of which came when the midfielder started.

The statistics don’t lie. Longstaff has been a crucial cog in Howe’s machine since taking over as Magpies boss, both in attack and defense, and he remains an unsung local hero in the ranks.